The best RV spare tire cover is the one that matches two things: your spare's mounted diameter and the biggest threat where you park. For most RV owners that threat is sun, because a spare can sit exposed for months and age out from UV and ozone long before it wears out from miles. Get those two right, size and sun protection, and everything else comes down to preference.
This guide is a shortcut to your pick. Answer two quick questions about your rig and your priorities, and the sections below point you to the right size, material, and features. When you want the full step by step on measuring and materials, our how to choose an RV spare tire cover guide covers the mechanics in depth.
In this article
- Start here: two quick questions
- Match by rig type
- Match by need and priority
- At a glance: match your need to a feature
- Our picks by use case
- Types of RV tire covers by material
- How to care for your RV tire cover
- Frequently asked questions
Start here: two quick questions
Two answers decide almost everything about the right cover for you.
1. What are you covering? A travel trailer, fifth wheel, camper van, Class A, B, or C motorhome, a truck camper, or a pop up. This sets your tire diameter, and therefore your cover size. If you are not sure of your size, measure the mounted spare from the ground to the top of the tread and double it, or use our sizing walkthrough.
2. What matters most to you? Longevity in strong sun, flexibility in the cold, security, budget, a personal design, or a cutout for a rear backup camera. Pick your top one or two, then read the matching section below.
Match by rig type
Cover size is set by tire diameter, not by the badge on your rig, but rig type is a fast shortcut to the size range you are likely in and the mounting quirks that affect your choice. Always measure to confirm before you buy.
Travel trailer
Most travel trailers run ST205/75R15 to ST225/75R15 tires, which land around 27 to 28 inches, so a 27 or 28 inch cover is typical. Many trailer spares hang on the A frame or rear bumper in full sun, so UV resistance matters more here than on a garaged vehicle. Confirm your diameter, then prioritize a fade resistant printed cover.
Fifth wheel
Fifth wheels often wear larger ST235/80R16 tires, roughly 30 inches, so size up accordingly. The spare frequently mounts under the overhang or on the rear cap. Check whether yours sits in shade or sun, because that decides how hard the cover has to work.
Camper van and Class B
Camper vans usually carry an LT size spare, often underslung or on a rear swing arm. Diameters vary widely, from about 29 to 32 inches, so measuring is essential. A swing arm spare rides out in the open, so treat it like a trailer spare and lean toward UV resistant material.
Class C motorhome
Class C rigs commonly run LT245/75R16, around 30 to 31 inches. The spare may live in a bumper compartment or on a rear carrier. If it is enclosed, sun is less of a factor and you can choose on looks and budget. If it is exposed, prioritize UV protection.
Class A motorhome
Class A coaches use the largest tires, and many do not carry an external spare at all. If yours does, it is often a bay stored full size assembly of 34 inches or more. Measure carefully, because off the shelf sizes can top out below what a Class A needs, and a stored spare cares more about dust and grime than sun.
Truck camper
A truck camper rides on your truck's LT tires, usually LT265/70R17 and similar, around 31 to 32 inches. The spare may sit under the bed or get relocated to a rear carrier when the camper is loaded. A relocated, exposed spare should get a UV resistant cover.
Pop up camper
Pop ups run small ST tires, often 20 to 24 inches, so you need a smaller cover than most RVs. Because pop ups are frequently stored for long stretches, a cover mainly earns its keep by keeping the spare clean and slowing dry rot during storage.
Match by need and priority
You park in strong sun or a hot, dry climate
Prioritize a UV resistant printed cover on a polyester nylon weave. Sun and ozone are what age a parked spare, so this is the single most important factor for desert southwest and high altitude parking. A yearly wipe with a fabric UV protectant extends the life further. Our guide to weatherproofing a tire cover covers what actually helps.
You store the rig cold or through winter
Choose a material that stays flexible in the cold. A polyester nylon weave stays supple and its hem does not crack the way stiff, cheap vinyl can in freezing temperatures. Store the cover loosely rather than crushed so the elastic keeps its shape. Our RV cover maintenance guide has the off season steps.
You want to deter theft and prying eyes
A cover hides whether your spare is new or worth grabbing, and running a cable or bungee through the wheel adds a physical deterrent. If security is a top concern, look at how the spare is mounted first, because a locking carrier does more than any cover. Our RV spare tire mount guide walks through carrier options.
You are on a budget
You do not need the most expensive cover to protect a spare, you need the right size in a UV resistant material. Pick a simpler printed design over an intricate one, buy your true measured size so it lasts, and watch the RV tire cover collection for seasonal sales. A cover that fits and resists sun beats a cheap one that fades in a season.
You want it to look like yours
This is where a printed cover shines. Choose a design that fits how you travel, or go fully custom with your family name, your dog, a favorite trail, or your own coordinates. A personalized cover turns a blank spare into the most recognizable part of your rig at the campground.
Your rig has a rear backup camera
If your camera sits in or near the spare, you need a cover with a camera cutout so the lens stays clear. This is more common on Jeeps and some SUVs than on trailers and motorhomes, but check your setup. Several of our covers offer a backup camera hole option, so match that feature to your vehicle before ordering.
At a glance: match your need to a feature
| Your top priority | Best material or feature | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strong sun or desert parking | UV resistant polyester nylon printed cover | Slows UV and ozone dry rot on an exposed spare |
| Cold or winter storage | Flexible weave, stored loosely | Stays supple and the hem resists cracking in freezing temperatures |
| Security | Cover plus a cable or locking carrier | Hides value and adds a physical deterrent |
| Budget | Right size in a simpler printed design | Correct fit and UV resistance matter more than price |
| Personalization | Printed or fully custom design | Makes the rig unmistakably yours |
| Backup camera | Camera cutout option | Keeps the lens clear behind the cover |
Our picks by use case
Every cover below is printed on a UV resistant polyester nylon weave and made to order in your size. Match the design to how you travel, or browse the full RV spare tire cover collection for more options.
A clean topo map design that suits almost any rig, from a travel trailer to a camper van. Understated enough to age well over years of travel.
A mountain cabin scene for full timers and long haul campers. Backup camera hole option available if your spare carries a rear camera.
Compass rose, Sasquatch silhouette, and an adventure first attitude. A campground favorite that reads well from across the lot.
Upload your photo, logo, family name, or coordinates. Made to order in your exact size, with a backup camera option for rigs that need it.
Types of RV tire covers by material
Covers come in a few materials, and the right one depends on your climate and how long the spare sits exposed. Here is the honest landscape, and where ours fit.
Vinyl
Vinyl is waterproof and inexpensive, which makes it the most common budget cover. The trade off is that single layer vinyl is stiff, heavier to handle, and prone to chalking and cracking after a season or two of strong sun or hard freezes. It works for short term or shaded use, but it is usually the first material to fail in the desert or a cold winter.
Cloth and canvas
Woven cloth and cotton canvas are breathable and tough, and they resist tearing well. The downside is moisture: canvas absorbs water and stains, and if it is stored damp it can mildew. Cloth suits garage kept rigs and mild, dry climates more than a trailer parked outside through a wet season.
Marine grade
Marine grade fabrics are engineered for boats, so they are built to shrug off UV, salt air, and constant moisture. They are the most weather resistant option and a strong choice for coastal parking or full time exposure, but they carry a premium price and are usually offered in solid colors rather than printed designs.
Polyester and nylon weave
A polyester nylon weave is the sweet spot for most RV owners, and it is what we print our covers on. It is lightweight enough to install alone, stays flexible in the cold so the hem does not crack, and takes UV resistant dye sublimation printing that keeps a design vibrant for years. You get full color designs and solid protection without the stiffness of vinyl or the moisture issues of canvas.
How to care for your RV tire cover
A good cover asks for very little upkeep, and a few minutes now and then doubles its life.
- Clean it gently. Wipe it down with mild soap and a soft brush or cloth. A gentle detergent like Woolite is fine. Skip bleach, harsh solvents, and pressure washers, which break down both the fabric and the print.
- Air dry fully. Let the cover dry completely before storing so trapped moisture does not lead to mildew, especially with cloth or canvas.
- Refresh UV protection. Apply a fabric UV protectant every few months, or at least once a year, to slow fading on a cover that lives in the sun.
- Store it loose. When the cover is off, keep it loosely folded in a cool, dry place rather than crushed, so the elastic hem holds its shape.
- Reseat after travel. Check the fit after the first highway drive and after long trips, because the elastic settles and may need a quick tug to reseat.
For the full off season routine, our RV tire cover maintenance guide goes deeper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of RV spare tire cover?
Which cover is best for a fifth wheel versus a travel trailer?
What is the best RV tire cover for hot, sunny climates?
Does a backup camera change which cover I need?
Can I put a custom design on an RV tire cover?
Find the right cover for your rig
UV resistant designs sized for travel trailers, fifth wheels, camper vans, and motorhomes. Made to order in your exact size.
Shop RV spare tire covers →Not sure on sizing? Our RV cover sizing guide takes a minute.
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